Method and system of signal representation for ndt/ndi devices

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a method and system to provide an improved signal representation of non-destructive test/inspection instruments by proper color display, in order to emulate as closely as possible, the visual rendering effect of those seen in the traditional non-electronic testing, including penetrant testing and magnetic particle testing. The foregoing object of the invention is preferably realized by providing an eddy current or phased array instrument with a color palette module that allows the deployment of an array of color representation system typically used in traditional non-electronic testing methods.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to non-destructive testing and inspectiondevices (NDT/NDI) and more particularly to the usage of colorrepresentation of signals generated by the NDT/NDI devices, emulatingthe color representations typically used by a few traditional,non-electronic testing methods, such as penetrant testing (herein afteras “PT”), and magnetic particle (herein after as “MP”).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically traditional, non-electronic NDT methods involve usage of testmaterials with color or florescence property, which either leak orchange patterns of distribution around flaws or defects. The NDTindustry has formed certain conventions in using certain colors andflorescence involving these traditional methods.

Modern instruments using array probe technologies, including eddycurrent array (ECA) and ultrasonic phased array (PA) technologies, withcolor imaging capability and its ability to detect surface-breaking ornear-surface flaws through relatively thin coatings, are idealreplacements to traditional, non-electronic NDT methods for productivityreasons as traditional methods require intensive surface preparation,coating removal (and re-application after test), and have no directmeans to record archive results apart from taking on-site pictures.

Eddy Current Array technology detects most flaws found by thetraditional methods, and returns a color image (the C-scan) displayingcolors as function of a signal amplitude or phase. In the existingmarket, the color schemes employed with ECA technology was done byvarious manufacturers using rainbow-style color palettes, typicallycomprising green/blue as base color, then shades of green, red, yellow.In contrast, traditional NDT methods such as penetrant testing (PT) andMagnetic particle (MP), either visible or fluorescent, providecharacteristic visual images where flaws show up in a color tone muchdifferent from the background color representing non-defect zones.

Examples of visible penetrant testing include red tone and pink/purpletone. Red tone testing has a background (good part) of white/light gray,and flaws highlighted with bright red tones Pink/purple tone testing hasa background (good part) of white/light gray, and flaws highlighted withpink/purple tones.

Examples of fluorescent penetrant testing, which is performed in a darkroom with a “black light”, include green/blue shades and purple/blueshades. Green/blue shades typically have a background of dark blue tonesand flaws glow as bright green shades (fluorescent). Purple/blue shadestypically have a background of dark purple tones and flaws glow as lightblue shades (fluorescent).

Examples of visible magnetic particle testing include red and blackpowder testing. The background color of red and black powder testing,which can vary depending of the surface being tested, shows bettercontrast when it is pale. The red and black powder will reveal thedefects as the powders cling to the flaw edges.

Examples of fluorescent magnetic particle testing include purple shadesand blue shades. Fluorescent magnetic particle testing is performed in adark room with a “black light”. In purple shades the UV lamp typicallyproduces purple reflects on the background color and flaws glow brightblue-green as the fluorescent magnetic particles cling to the flawedges. In blue shades the UV lamp typically produces blue reflects onthe background color and flaws glow bright blue-green as the fluorescentmagnetic particles cling to the flaw edges.

Understandably, it is desirable to provide modern instruments, such aseddy current array technologies with the capability of displaying colorsor florescence in the similar fashion as those traditional,non-electronic NDT method does.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present disclosure is to provide a methodoffering improved signal representation of NDT/NDI instruments by propercolor display, in order to emulate as closely as possible, the visualrendering effect of those seen in the traditional non-electronictesting, including penetrant testing and magnetic particle testing.

The foregoing object of the invention is preferably realized byproviding an eddy current or phased array instrument with a colorpalette module that allows the deployment of an array of colorrepresentation system typically used in traditional non-electronictesting methods.

In accordance to various embodiments of instrument and method of thepresent disclosure, the kinds of color palette employed by a specificinstrument can vary depending on how many and what kind of traditionaltesting the instrument is tasked to emulate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the inspection system including a colorpalette module according to the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the exemplary steps executed by the usageof the color palette module.

FIG. 3 is a color display resulted from the execution of the colorpalette module according to the preferred embodiment, showing an eddycurrent inspection C-scan result emulating the PT/VISIBLE/RED DYE withPINK SHADES color palette. The corresponding RGB values are shown inTable-1.

FIG. 4 is a color display according to an alternate embodiment, showingan eddy current inspection C-scan result emulating thePT/FLUORESCENT/BLUE-GREEN color palette.

FIG. 5 is a color display according to an alternate embodiment, showingan eddy current inspection C-scan result emulating theMP/FLUORESCENT/PURPLE SHADES color palette.

FIG. 6 is a color display according to an alternate embodiment, showingan eddy current inspection C-scan result emulating the MP/VISIBLE/REDPOWDER color palette.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, the presently disclosed inspection instrument, suchas an eddy current device 10 embodies a color palette module 12 eitherbeing coupled or integrated with a data processor 18. The eddy currentdevice also embodies a data acquisition unit 14, the data processor 18,a probe 210 and a display and user interface unit 16. It should be notedthat data acquisition unit 14, data processor 18, probe 210 and display16 can all be part of an otherwise existing inspection system. Colorpalette module 12 represents one of the novel aspects of the presentdisclosure.

It should be noted that color rendering does exist in conventionalNDT/NDI devices. However, they do not embody a color module containingcolor palette names that systematically and closely emulating those ofused in traditional non-electronic testing.

Continuing with FIG. 1, in the preferred embodiment, color palettemodule 12 is preferably configured to contain a color tagging system toassign a corresponding RGB value to each of the amplitude markers, whichare a series of amplitude percentage values that concerns the inspectionoperation. The basic color tagging system for this specific colorpalette name is shown in Table-1 as follows with color palette name“PT/Visible/Red Dye with Pink Shades”. It should be noted that the firstcolumn of Table-1 are “amplitude markers” named as such to be matchedwith corresponding signal amplitude shown in column 2. The marking ofthe amplitude is the same or significantly similar to that used intraditional testing. In columns 3˜5, RGB values are given correspondingto a specific marker and according to the convention of traditionaltesting.

An exemplary testing result presented according to the RGB values inTable-1 is shown in FIG. 3.

TABLE 1 RGB Values for Corresponding Markers for Palette NamePT/Visible/Red Dye with Pink Shades Amplitude % vertical Marker Pointamplitude RED GREEN BLUE Bottom  0% 204 204 204 Good Test 50% 224 224224 Halo 60% 229 165 245 Transition 77% 97 11 15 Bad test 90% 75 11 19Top 100%  127 9 15

It should be noted that Table-1 is of a color palette name called“PT/Visible/Red Dye with Pink Shades”, often used by tradition penetranttesting visible with pink shades. The color display of this palette isshown in FIG. 3. More color palette names can be called by the NDT/NDIdevices, determined by the operator.

Reference now is made to FIG. 2, which is an exemplary routine of colorpalette module 12 executable by a processor or processor 18.

Preferably, at the beginning of an inspection operation, the operator isprovided at step 201 the color palette name used in last inspection viauser interface, and prompted whether to change the existingly loadedcolor palette name. Once a color palette name, such as that of“PT/Visible/Red Dye with Pink Shades” shown in Table-1 and FIG. 3 isselected in step 202, the selected color palette name is called by theprogram and color palette module 12 provides the corresponding RGBvalues to processor 18 in step 203. Processor 18 matches the measureamplitude for each data sample and assigns corresponding RGB valuesaccording to Table-1 to instruct display 16 to display in step 205.

According to FIG. 2, optionally, color module 12 can also embody a stepthat allows the operation to adjust the contrast of the colorpresentation in step 204. The step can also be called “colorattenuation”, which allows the adjustment of the “top” and the “bottom”of the color scale (shown in FIGS. 3˜6).

As can be seen from Table-1 and FIG. 3, the preferred process to displaythe colors is using a color palette system made of linear gradients,associated to the measurement signal amplitude. The preferred example isusing a palette that emulates the visible penetrant testing (PT) methodwith red dye in pink shades.

Expanding from Table-1, more color palette names typically used intraditional testing are introduced in Table-2. As can be seen inTable-2, the first column is a collection of color palette namestypically used in traditional testing which are preferably preloaded inan NDT/NDI instrument according to the present disclosure. As can beseen in Table-2, column-1 provides a series of “palette names” orpalette schemes, closely matching those commonly used in PT and MPconventional operations. The presently disclosed system and method, foreach palette scheme (or palette name) provides a series of displayingRGB values for each corresponding measurement result represented asamplitude in the form of percentage of the full amplitude. The match ofthe RGB values with amplitude is a close representation of the colorassigning system used by respective traditional testing, as listed incolumn-1.

Columns 2-7 are the amplitude markers used in the same way as those inTable-1, and follow the conventions used in traditional testing, such asPT testing.

The last column lists the figure numbers showing the NDT devicemeasurement result display using the corresponding color tagging systemshown in the respective rows.

TABLE 2 Color Palette System Emulating Typical Traditional TestingValues in the three number group are R/G/B Values Values in percentageare marker amplitude percentage Marker Point Names R/G/BValues MarkerPoints Color Palette Names Bottom Good Test Halo Transition Bad test TopFIG. # PT-visible (red dye) 204/204/204 224/224/224 N/A 224/224/224157/7/14 59/11/21 Not shown 0% 10% 55% 66% 100% in drawingsPT-fluorescent (blue/ 0/75/244 2/68/218 N/A 11/37/95 95/237/1 172/252/04 green) 0% 20% 60% 70% 100% PT-fluorescent (purple/ 175/5/173114/10/118 N/A 22/10/110 13/247/255 185/243/245 Not shown blue) 0% 20%60% 70% 100% in drawings MP-fluorescent (purple 131/9/110 42/10/12289/72/11 95/237/1 N/A 172/252/0 5 shades) 0% 22% 54% 62% 100%MP-fluorescent (blue 7/2/210 17/8/136 35/71/11 95/237/1 N/A 172/252/0Not shown shades) 0% 20% 53% 62% 100% in drawings MP-visible (redpowder) 223/223/223 240/240/240 241/241/241 128/128/128 133/29/3140/8/52 6 0% 20% 50% 58% 66% 100% MP-visible (black 243/245/199250/250/250 N/A 241/241/241 64/64/64 0/0/0 Not shown powder) 0% 20% 55%70% 100% in drawings

In each of the following figures of FIGS. 4˜6, the results of verticalamplitude of the ECA signals are displayed in a 2-dimensional “C-scanimage” as colors according to corresponding “color names” shown inTable-2. The image of each of FIGS. 4˜6 shows the direct relationbetween the signal vertical amplitude and the color palette, accordingto the corresponding color palette name. As can be seen, for example,the result shown in FIG. 3 is an image that looks very similar to thepenetrant testing results.

FIG. 4 is a color display of an exemplary testing result shown inC-scan, emulating the PT/FLUORESCENT/BLUE-GREEN color palette using therespective RGB values for each marker point shown in Table-2 withcorresponding palette name.

FIG. 5 is a color display of an exemplary testing result shown inC-scan, emulating the MP/FLUORESCENT/PURPLE SHADES palette using therespective RGB values for each marker point shown in Table-2 withcorresponding palette name.

FIG. 6 is of an exemplary testing result shown in C-scan, emulating theMP/VISIBLE/RED POWDER color palette using the respective RGB values foreach marker point shown in Table-2 with corresponding palette name.

Other palette names for each of the traditional NDT methods herein to bereplaced using the present disclosure are also represented in Table-2.The colors are represented as R/G/B and the marker points in verticalamplitude (% full scale).

It should be appreciated that color tagging to vertical amplitude valuescan be readily applied to a color tagging (naming) system to othermeasurement values, such as horizontal amplitude values, magnitudevalues, which are all within the scope and framework of the presentdisclosure.

It should also be appreciated that the color tagging system hereinpresented can be readily applied to normalized or converted signal, suchas values relative to an adjustable ECA null point, and should beconsidered within the scope of the present disclosure.

It should also be appreciated that the color tagging system hereinpresented can be readily applied to normalized or converted signal, suchas those resulted from differential probes, and should be consideredwithin the scope of the present disclosure. In such cases, thecorresponding RGB values simply need to be applied to marker points fornormalized or converted signal values.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-destructive testing or inspection (NDT/NDI)device configured for inspecting a test object, and providing a displayof measurement results, the device comprises: a data acquisition unit, adata processor, including a color palette module, a colored display,wherein the data processor is configured to process input signals fromthe data acquisition unit, providing measurement values in a seriesmarker points, wherein the color palette module is operable to match aset of RGB (Red, Green and Blue) value for each of the correspondingmarker points substantially close to the RGB values listed in thefallowing Table A, and, TABLE A Measurement Marker Points values REDGREEN BLUE Bottom  0% 204 204 204 Good Test 50% 224 224 224 Halo 60% 229165 245 Transition 77% 97 11 15 Bad test 90% 75 11 19 Top 100%  127 9 15

wherein the processor instructs the colored display to display themeasurement values with the corresponding matched RGB valuesaccordingly.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the color palette moduleis further operable to adjust the scale of the measurement results. 3.The device of claim 1, wherein the color palette module is furtheroperable with the marker points to be based on absolute values.
 4. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the color palette module is further operablewith the marker points to be based on normalized values in percentage.5. The device of claim 1, wherein the color palette module is furtheroperable with the marker points to be based on exponentially normalizedvalues.
 6. The device of claim 1 is an eddy current device with arraysensors.
 7. The device of claim 1 is an ultrasonic phased array device.8. A non-destructive testing or inspection (NDT/NDI) device configuredfor inspecting a test object, the device comprises: a data acquisitionunit, a data processor, including a color palette module, a coloreddisplay, wherein the data processor is configured to process inputsignals from the data acquisition, providing measurement values in aseries of marker points, wherein the color palette module is configuredto choose a selected color palette name selected from one of thefollowing color palette names consisting of that listed in column one ofTable-B, below, wherein the color palette module is further operable,under the selected color palette name, to match a set of R/G/B (Red,Green and Blue) values for each of the corresponding marker pointssubstantially close to that listed in Table-B, TABLE B Marker PointNames R/G/B Values Marker Points Color Palette Names Bottom Good TestHalo Transition Bad test Top PT-visible (red dye) 204/204/204224/224/224 N/A 224/224/224 157/7/14 59/11/21 0% 10% 55% 66% 100%PT-fluorescent (blue/ 0/75/244 2/68/218 N/A 11/37/95 95/237/1 172/252/0green) 0% 20% 60% 70% 100% PT-fluorescent (purple/ 175/5/173 114/10/118N/A 22/10/110 13/247/255 185/243/245 blue 0% 20% 60% 70% 100%MP-fluorescent (purple 131/9/110 42/10/122 89/72/11 95/237/1 N/A172/252/0 shades) 0% 22% 54% 62% 100% MP-fluorescent (blue 7/2/21017/8/136 35/71/11 95/237/1 N/A 172/252/0 shades) 0% 20% 53% 62% 100%MP-visible (red powder) 223/223/223 240/240/240 241/241/241 128/128/128133/29/3 140/8/52 0% 20% 50% 58% 66% 100% MP-visible (black 243/245/199250/250/250 N/A 241/241/241 64/64/64 0/0/0 powder) 0% 20% 55% 70% 100%

wherein the processor instructs the colored display to display themeasurement values with the matched RGB values.
 9. The device of claim8, wherein the color palette module is further operable to adjust thescale of the measurement results.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein thecolor palette module is further operable with the marker points based onabsolute values.
 11. The device of claim 8, wherein the color palettemodule is further operable with the marker points based on normalizedvalues in percentage.
 12. The device of claim 8, wherein the colorpalette module is further operable with the marker points based onexponentially normalized values.
 13. The device of claim 8 is an eddycurrent device with array sensors.
 14. The device of claim 8 is anultrasonic phased array device.
 15. A method of providing color displayfor a non-destructive testing or inspection (NDT/NDI) device used forinspecting a test object, the method comprising steps of, collectinginput signals from inspecting the test object, processing the inputsignals and providing measurement values in a series of marker points,selecting a selected color palette name from one of the following colorpalette names consisting that of the color palette names listed incolumn one of Table-C, below, under the selected color palette name,matching a set of R/G/B (Red, Green and Blue) values for each of thecorresponding marker points substantially close to that listed inTable-C, using the matched R/G/B values to display color for themeasurement values. TABLE C Marker Point Names R/G/B Values MarkerPoints Color Pallette Names Bottom Good Test Halo Transition Bad testTop PT-visible (red dye) 204/204/204 224/224/224 N/A 224/224/224157/7/14 59/11/21 0% 10% 55% 66% 100% PT-fluorescent (blue/ 0/75/2442/68/218 N/A 11/37/95 95/237/1 172/252/0 green) 0% 20% 60% 70% 100%PT-fluorescent (purple/ 175/5/173 114/10/118 N/A 22/10/110 13/247/255185/243/245 blue 0% 20% 60% 70% 100% MP-fluorescent (purple 131/9/11042/10/122 89/72/11 95/237/1 N/A 172/252/0 shades) 0% 22% 54% 62% 100%MP-fluorescent (blue 7/2/210 17/8/136 35/71/11 95/237/1 N/A 172/252/0shades) 0% 20% 53% 62% 100% MP-visible (red powder) 223/223/223240/240/240 241/241/241 128/128/128 133/29/3 140/8/52 0% 20% 50% 58% 66%100% MP-visible (black 243/245/199 250/250/250 N/A 241/241/241 64/64/640/0/0 powder) 0% 20% 55% 70% 100%


16. The method of claim 15, wherein the device is an eddy currentinspection device with array sensors.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein the device is an ultrasonic phased array device.